Driving in snow

["Koller, Adam" <Adam.Koller@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

All things equal, this is mainly an issue of tire choice. Thinner ones do
not "float" as explained by another so you definitely want thinner.

In terms of configuration, I used to think that you needed fwd to survive a
bad winter - then I lived in Finland for the winter months. There I saw
ton's of rwd MB, BMW's and Volvo's running around on good snow tires - many
use studded of course. RWD can be used successfully in the winter months w/
proper tires and a knowledgeable driver. Get a set of steel rims and good
snow tires if you want to travel w/ out worries. Put some extra weight in
the trunk for added traction. Don't boot it around corners.

Think about it engineering wise; 4wd or fwd will do nothing for your braking
and nothing for large radius turns. You will get improved acceleration - but
that can get you in trouble! If you elect to buy a SUV, you get a nice high
center of gravity, more weight to stop, questionable suspension,
questionable anti-lock, zero road-feel, etc. That why you see so many in the
ditch when the snow flies (where they belong, IMHO. I love when they end
their excursion with a nice roll over finale, ha! That's what the high CoG
gets you! Hopefully, no one gets hurt. What am I saying? - thin out the herd
some more!)

My current stable and experiences in the snow:
'88 325 ic - garaged, ok on all season tires - easy to spin if too much
throttle
'88 Audi 90 quattro - on snow tires, absolutly unbeatable. On Yokohama
street rubber, can be scary.
'86 SAAB 900S - poor tires but fwd is certainly idiot proof - no chance of
kicking out the rear.
'83 944 on fat R1 rubber - I have actually pushed the car myself w/ the
engine running and the car in gear to go up a driveway!

Adam

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